Word Origin & History

early 15c., "idle one's time, dawdle over work," from Middle Dutch loteren "be loose or erratic, shake, totter" like a loose tooth or a sail in a storm; in modern Dutch, leuteren "to delay, linger, loiter over one's work." Probably cognate with Old English lutian "lurk," and related to Old English loddere "beggar;" Old High German lotar "empty, vain," luzen "lurk;" German Lotterbube "vagabond, rascal," lauschen "eavesdrop;" Gothic luton "mislead;" Old English lyðre "base, bad, wicked." Related: Loitered; loitering.

Example Sentences for loiter

But the Prussians were drawing near: it would not answer to loiter behind the wall.

He attempted to loiter, and threw in a line as if his only intention were to fish.

He seemed to loiter, as if on purpose to meet with our hero.

But the Secretary's messengers know when to hasten and when to loiter on the way.

Very few people are, as a rule, in Paris, and these are not tempted to loiter.

I an't so fond of his company that I'd loiter about him for such things, if he did.

As for those of us who remain, we will loiter as much as ever we please.

Such then as loiter and live idly, are not good prelates, or ministers.

Now they might take their ease, now they might loiter in the gardens of the Loire.